Texas Football Recruiting: Tracking Targets for 2013 Class

Texas may have struggled the last couple of seasons trying to get back into the BCS spotlight, but it hasn't been due to a lack of talent. The Longhorns always seem to recruit extremely well and this year is no different.

Although national signing day isn't until February of next year, Texas has already landed 14 recruits, giving them once again a top-five recruiting class already for the 2013 class. But with scholarships still left to hand out, head coach Mack Brown and company are far from completing this class.

With players scheduling official visits and coaches checking out new talent, here are the latest updates on some of the players that are considering becoming Texas Longhorns.

Beau Sandland

Sandland is a JUCO transfer who caught 20 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns last year at Calif./Pierce College. He hasn't yet received an offer from Texas, but Longhorn coaches have recently stopped by to check him out and may keep in touch with the young man.

“It’s still early but with the way Mack Brown has that program down there, I know they have a young team and have struggled the last couple of years. But I know the next couple of years they have pretty high expectations to compete for a national title.” Sandland said. (Via ESPN)

Sandland says that he will likely take all of his official visits, and he'll go well into December before making an official decision.

Torrodney Prevot

Prevot is one of the better defensive ends in this year's class. He isn't exactly the biggest at 6'4", 200 pounds, but he is extremely quick off the ball and gets into the backfield in a hurry. He'll likely play linebacker and defensive end at the next level.

Prevot wants to make his decision early in the season and says that he plans to visit Texas early next month.

"We haven't really talked about that visit in recent weeks," Prevot said. "The plan is for me to go down to one of the June camps, June 9 or 10, whichever one that is." (Via Scout)

Vincent Taylor

blog.mysanantonio.com

Latest Status: Considering Oklahoma State and Baylor.

Taylor is a 4-star defensive tackle from San Antonio, Texas, and was all ready to make his commitment to the Baylor Bears before Oklahoma State threw an offer his way. Now he has a tough decision to make.

But Texas is a school that's been looking at him for quite some time, but for whatever reason hasn't extended an offer just yet.

“Coach [Duane] Akina came out but didn’t have too much to say. We haven’t really talked about an offer. When they did come, I didn’t really feel like they were really looking at me much.” Taylor said. (Via ESPN)

It is not clear if Texas will eventually try to land the 6'3", 250-pound player, but it may be too late even if they do.

“I’ve got two big schools that I’m very interested in right now,” Taylor said. “If Texas was to come in and offer, it would probably be hard for me to just change my mind.”

Noel Ellis

Ellis is a 4-star cornerback out of New Orleans, La. He hasn't received an offer from the Longhorns yet, but they have shown great interest and Ellis plans to attend camp on June 3. He's a great cover corner, has terrific instincts on the football field and is solid at helping in run support.

“Texas is an excellent program on a big stage,” his father, Noel Ellis Sr., said. “We’ve got our sights set on being on the big stage. Texas is definitely a school we’ll consider, especially if they show mutual interest. If Texas was to offer, that would definitely propel them into the top three.” (Via ESPN)

Picking up Ellis would be big for a program that is desperately trying to improve its secondary.

Justin Manning

Manning has been very quiet about which teams he's favoring, but one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the country can choose between nearly any prestigious school out there. He's a tough athlete at 6'2", 275 pounds and is a great pass-rusher, with excellent explosion off the ball.

He hasn't really named any favorites, but says he will take his time throughout the process and is in no hurry to make a commitment. (Via Scout)

“I’m probably not going to go to any camps,” Manning said. “If I do, it will just be to meet and talk with the coaches.”

He's really looking at TCU, and considering he is from Dallas, Texas, you would think the Longhorns would be high on his list as well.

Vonn Bell

Bell is one of the top safeties in this year's class and has already visited with the schools listed above. He's 6'1", 190 pounds, has great hands for a defensive player and has quick enough feet to play the cornerback position. He's also a tough player who will lay you out with a big hit if given the opportunity.

Bell is in the process of trimming his list down, which also includes schools like Florida, Notre Dame and Arkansas, but says he will take his time before making his decision. (Via Scout)

"I do not have anything planned for the summer yet, but anything is possible," he said. "I am going to take at least a few of my official visits because I want to see how the campus is during the season. I want to see how the fans get out and support their team, how live it is, and just get a feel for things on game-day."

Ra'Shaad Samples

Samples is one of the top recruits in the 2013 class coming out of the state of Texas and is one of the best receivers this class has to offer. At 5'11" and 170 pounds, he has the ability to play inside or outside, has terrific hands and racks up the yards after the catch. He isn't exactly great at one thing, but does a bunch of things well.

Despite having offers from nearly every top school in the country, Samples recently announced his top six on his Twitter account. A date isn't known just yet, but with the Longhorns being on that short list, they have to feel real confident in landing the receiver from Dallas.